Tool for processing magnetic read/write heads

Abstract

A tool for batch processing the definition of air bearing surfaces on rows comprising a plurality of sliders is disclosed. The tool has a main body member having a length defining a y-axis direction, a width defining an x-axis direction, and a thickness defining a z-axis direction. The main body member has a top surface defining an upwardly facing z-axis base surface. The main body also defines a y-axis alignment reference surface, and an x-axis alignment reference surface. The rows are positioned on the tool for processing, where the upper surface of the platform engages the lower surface of the plurality of rows to provide proper z-axis positioning on the tool. The y-axis alignment reference engages one longitudinal side of an anchor row to provide proper y-axis positioning, and the x-axis alignment reference surface abuts the second end of the plurality of rows to provide proper x-axis positioning. The top surfaces of the rows lie in a common plane.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A tool for use in defining air bearing surfaces on a plurality of rows, each of the rows comprising a plurality of individual sliders, the rows being elongated and defining opposing longitudinal sides, a first end, a second end, a top surface and a bottom surface, one of said rows being an anchor row, the tool comprising: a main body member having a length defining a y-axis direction, a width defining an x-axis direction, and a thickness defining a z-axis direction, and a top surface defining a platform and opposing exposed portions spaced apart on the top surface on opposing sides of said platform, the opposing exposed portions forming first and second positioning surfaces;   the platform having a planar upper surface defining an upwardly facing z-axis base surface, and defining an exposed portion on the planar upper surface forming a y-axis alignment reference surface;   the second positioning surface defining an x-axis alignment reference surface; and   the upper surface of the platform engaging the lower surface of the plurality of rows to provide proper z-axis positioning on the tool, the y-axis alignment reference surface engaging one longitudinal side of the anchor row to provide proper y-axis positioning on the tool, and the x-axis alignment reference surface abutting the second end of the plurality of rows to provide proper x-axis positioning on the tool, and wherein the plurality of rows are subsequently positioned adjacent to one another on the upper surface of the platform such that the respective longitudinal sides of each of the adjacent rows are engaged to maintain proper y-axis positioning between the adjacent rows, and the second end abutting the x-axis alignment reference surface to provide proper x-axis positioning between the adjacent rows, so that the plurality of the sliders in each row are positioned in y-axis orientation with the corresponding slider in the adjacent rows, and the top surfaces of the rows lie in a common plane.   
     
     
       2. The tool as defined in claim 1, wherein the x-axis alignment reference surface is selectively moveable in the x-axis direction to selectively position the rows on the platform while maintaining the y-axis orientation between the rows. 
     
     
       3. The tool as defined in claim 1, wherein the platform defines a plurality of beams extending in the y-axis direction, each of the plurality of beams being spaced apart by a groove and defining a top end, the top end of the beams lying in a common plane for supporting the bottom surface of the plurality of rows. 
     
     
       4. The tool as defined in claim 3, wherein: the alternating beams are spaced apart by the grooves so that each of the beams is positioned directly underneath one of the plurality of sliders; and   the alternating grooves are spaced apart by the beams so that each of the grooves is positioned directly between adjacent sliders to allow for separation of the individual sliders from the rows.   
     
     
       5. The tool as defined in claim 1, further comprising: a top plate releasably engageable with the main body member and having a downwardly facing planar z-axis reference surface oriented directly above the upwardly facing z-axis base surface of the platform when engaged thereto; and wherein   the top plate being positionable over the upwardly facing z-axis base surface to engage the top surface of each of the plurality of rows to position the top surfaces in a common plane when an adhesive is positioned between the upwardly facing z-axis base surface of the main body and the rows.   
     
     
       6. The tool as defined in claim 5 wherein: the z-axis reference surface defines a plurality of beams extending in the y-axis direction, each of the plurality of beams being spaced apart by a groove and defining a bottom end, the bottom ends of the beams lying in a common plane; and   the bottom ends of the beams of the top plate engaging the top surface of the rows at a position directly opposite the position of the beams of the platform, when the top plate is positioned over the main body.   
     
     
       7. The tool as defined in claim 5, wherein: a gap is formed between the z-axis reference surface on the top plate and the z-axis base surface of the platform when the top plate is mounted on the main body member; and   the gap being dimensioned so as to be sufficient to encompass the plurality of rows positioned on the platform.   
     
     
       8. The tool as defined in claim 7, wherein the platform is offset below the first and second positioning surfaces. 
     
     
       9. The tool as defined in claim 1, wherein the y-axis alignment reference surface comprises two y-reference pins extending upwardly out of the upper surface of the platform, the y-reference pins having engagement surfaces positioned in y-axis alignment with one another to provide proper y-axis positioning to the anchor row. 
     
     
       10. The tool as defined in claim 1, wherein the main body defines a bottom surface, the bottom surface defining a cavity therein positioned coextensively to said platform for providing improved heat transfer characteristics to and from the platform. 
     
     
       11. The tool as defined in claim 10, wherein: the cavity includes a back wall, opposing end walls and opposing sidewalls;   the opposing sidewalls intersect the back wall along their length and extend at an angle outwardly therefrom to the bottom surface of the main body; and   the back wall has a longitudinal axis and defines a crest extending along the longitudinal axis, the back wall sloping away to either side from the crest to the intersection with the sidewalls.   
     
     
       12. The tool as defined in claim 10, further comprising: a fixture having a protrusion extending therefrom, the protrusion having outer walls and being receivable in the cavity to form a gap between the outer walls of the protrusion and walls of the cavity; and   a seal formed between the fixture and the bottom surface of the main body to isolate the gap.   
     
     
       13. A tool for use in defining air bearing surfaces on a row, the row comprising a plurality of individual sliders and being elongated and defining opposing longitudinal sides, a first end, a second end, a top surface and a bottom surface, the tool comprising: a main body member having length defining a y-axis direction, a width defining an x-axis direction, and a thickness defining a z-axis direction, and a top surface defining a platform and opposing exposed portions spaced apart on the top surface on opposing sides of said platform, the opposing exposed portions forming first and second positioning surfaces;   the platform having a planar upper surface defining an upwardly facing z-axis base surface, and defining an exposed portion on the planar upper surface forming a y-axis alignment reference surface;   the second positioning surface defining an x-axis alignment reference surface; and   the upper surface of the platform engaging the bottom surface of the row to provide proper z-axis positioning on the tool, the y-axis alignment reference surface engaging one longitudinal side of the row to provide proper y-axis positioning on the tool, and the x-axis alignment reference surface abutting the second end of the row to provide proper x-axis positioning on the tool.